Efficient Multi-view Video Coding using Multi-view Depth Map

Abstract

We present an efficient coding method for multiview video plus a multiview depth map. This representation has been discussed as a potential standard for advanced visual media such as free-viewpoint TV and 3D video. The method is used to predict three kinds of information, disparity vectors, coding modes, and image signals, by utilizing pixel correspondences among views that can be calculated from coded multiview depth maps. Experiments show that using the proposed method reduces the bitrate by up to 22.5% relative to simulcast multiview video coding of multiview video and depth maps. The results also show the coding are not significantly affected by encoding noises on depth maps. Furthermore, the bitrate is reduced by up to 11.8% for multiview video coding where the bitrate for the depth maps is treated as only an overhead.